I like Marissa and Tony as much as anyone, but there is no way they deserve to be alive on the show, especially since that fleet-footed Mario got creamed!

What happened to him being the "Prince of Ballroom Dancing?" as Bruno blithered on Monday night?

Sigh. Well, so much for my picks, which had Mario and Karina in top spot, followed by Cristian and Cheryl (they were a sure-fire save for next week, anyway), Kristi and Mark, Jason and Edyta (a little iffy this week, but if they show up strong next week they may still have a shot at the finals), trailed by Marissa and Tony.

Anyway, I must confess I had never even heard of Mario before he was hot stepping circles around everyone, and now I am a fan, maybe not of his music, but of him as a person. He showed a lot of character and maturity during the show, and even more in his real life.

The 21-year-old has been frank about his mom's heroin addiction, and how he is trying to help her. MTV did a special in October called "I Won't Love You to Death: The Story of Mario and His Mom."

As a singer and an actor ("Step Up," "Freedom Writers"), Mario was well on his way. Here's hoping his stint on DWTS will launch him into the next orbit of success. He deserves it!